Tag: extension

Planning and designing a home extension or a kitchen extension

Planning and designing a home extension or a kitchen extension.

Architecture and architects

If you ask an architect or a building company at the end of a job ; Who built the house extension, loft conversion or any other building project, you get might a pause before the builder or the architect will adventure into saying ; I did.
architectsThere is a general confusion between Architects and Builders.They are both wrong and right at the same time. A diplomatic answer should be : We did. However, the Architects get the glory most of the time, like a general who’s army has just won a war. The builders just follow instructions and specifications set out by the Architect and in effect the Building Company becomes foot soldiers. The building project is built by the builders, their sweat and hard work. But without a good architect, most building project can result in technical failures. Only very experienced builders can undertake a building project without the professional guidance from an architect or interior designer.
The Builders and Building Company or Contractors

Getting a good builder or a good building company to carry out the works sometimes can be a mystery for most home owners.Few years ago, the media hype used to describe and portray a good builder or good building company as a mythological figure or entity, like a figment of imagination. Most TV shows and articles in newspapers still do that.Even the cat can get confused.
robuild cat boss

Most people are saying that you should only use professional. It is good advice, especially for those who want to use amateur builders and architects. Then the general opinion is divided again. How do you know if the Building Company or the Architect is good for you and your building project ?

The professionals are saying : Don’t get recommendations from friends, neighbours and family. The reason for that is the lack of experience from the clients and customers. They are not qualified to express a professional opinion and recommend a builder or an architect. They might have had a job done recently,like a Garage Conversion, they might also be happy with the job done to their property, but how do they know if the job was done properly and in a professional manner ?
Most house extensions, loft conversions and any major building projects have to go through the Building Control, that means, a Building Inspector will inspect the job.
If the Building Control Inspector says that he or she – is happy with job before signing off the project in order to become legal and give you a Completion Certificate, it means that the new building is safe and built in accordance to the Building Regulations.

However, the devil is in the details. What makes a good architect or good builders, most of the time are the details, this is how truly professionals get separated from the less experienced. Small technical details that can easily go unnoticed by clients. The other side of the argument, getting recommendation from people you know, means that if they are happy with the builder or architect – it means just that. And if they are happy, you will be too.

Customers and Clients

What do you want ? Single storey extension, double storey extension, flat roof, pitched roof, loft conversion with or without en suite bathroom ? Brickwall or blockwall ? Concrete roof tiles or clay tiles ? Most builders understand that you have a budget and you don’t want to spend more than it is necessary, but can you back up your vision and requests with your wallet ?

Why do you need the extra living space for ?

Ultimately, the client pays for the Architect and Builder. Before starting off a building project or a home improvement project, the home owner should do his or her home work. The client is the master, the architects and builders just follow instructions and can advise from time to time.
Look for inspiration and be practical.

london

House extension

There are many reasons for building a home extension or a house extension in London,the most common one is to create more habitual living space. Buying a new house or moving to a new location is not always an option, and if more living space is needed, adding a home extension can be the right solution. It also ads value to the property.
home extension in London

Size does matter, single storey extension or double storey extension

If you don’t have the space or finance for a double storey extension, then a single storey extension could provide you with an extra bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. Cheaper and faster to build than a two storey extension, one storey extension also limits the time you have to put up with builders working on your property. After few months of noise, dust and stress, you will appreciate some quiet and relaxing time within the confines of your home.

Planning Permission might not even be needed if the house has not been extended before and the loft or garage has not been converted. However, you will need to apply for Building Regulations and there is a fee to be paid to your Local Council, Building Department.
double storey extension London
You can always have a single storey house extension built with a two storey house extension in mind. The foundation needs to be deep enough and the openings to be bridged with strong lintels and metal beams (RSJ) designed for a 2 storey home extension – to withhold the future weight of a double storey home extension.

Demolishing an old conservatory and building an extension

Sometimes, building a small extension can be done very cheaply if the new extension can make use of three existing walls. You might not need Planning Permission, but you must apply for Building Control by submitting a Building Notice and pay the required fee. Note: if you submit the Building Notice but you do not pay the fee – the Building Notice is ignored by the Council.

old conservatory

demolition old conservatory
Demolition of the old conservatory

Because there are already three existing walls, the old property and the neighbour’s extension wall, in this case we have an U – shaped site. After getting the neighbour to sign the Party Wall Agreement, the wall can be used as part of the new extension.

Infill extension

Due to a tree close by, the Building Control asked for the foundation to be 1.5 deep.

foundation infill extension

Because the foundation was small in size, mixing the concrete needed to fill up the footing was done by hand.

mixing concrete foundation mixer

The trench does not have to be filled up to the rim, it can be done bellow the ground level. Just make sure is levelled, it makes the bricklayer’s job easier.

wet concrete trench foundation

For this particular home extension, the roof is a flat roof ( warm decking – warm roof ). You can also see the brickwork bellow the DPC level ( damp proof course )

flat roof construction

flat roof structure - bellow DPC brickwork

The flat roof is covered by fibreglass and for the light we installed a Velux window right in the middle of the roof.

Having a large roof window installed, will provide natural light.

roof window flat fibreglass roof

double glazing extension french door
Double glazing extension french door

extension flooring

extension